Rocker David Cook has beaten teen favourite David Archuleta by a landslide to win American Idol. In a surprise result, Cook won by a margin of 12 million votes out of the 97.5 million cast by US viewers. Simon Cowell, one of the show's judges, had told Cook that his song choices handed a victory to Archuleta. But before the winner was announced, Cowell said the outcome "wasn't quite so clear-cut as we called it" and apologised to Cook. The 25-year-old victor's three-song set included U2's I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and The World I Know by Collective Soul. But Cook, with his gravelly voice and scruffy style, came in for criticism during the series, particularly from Cowell. Star-studded Throughout the run, 17-year-old's Archuleta's fan following and warm praise from the judges was expected to turn him into the show's youngest winner to date. The final was a star-studded affair, with Canadian rocker Bryan Adams performing with the top six male singers. George Michael wrapped up the show, singing a medley of hits alongside all 12 American Idol finalists. Cook said he is remaining realistic despite winning the show and a recording contract. "I actually walked into this with no expectations and I'm walking out of it with no expectations. This show is a springboard," he said. Fans of Archuleta said the Utah teenager "will be big no matter what", and admitted his unexpected defeat had "felt like a punch in the gut". Source:BBC